Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Recruiting Trail: ND, OSU and UK highlight weekend commitments

Cincinnati Enquirer
Published 11:47 a.m. ET July 2, 2018

CLOSE

St. Xavier offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. discusses his commitment to play football at Ohio State University
The Enquirer/Adam Baum

This is the newest installment of a twice-a-week column focusing on local Division I prospects. If you know of a local that recently received a DI offer or committed to a DI program tweet it to @jsnodsenq

Buy Photo

St. Xavier's Paris Johnson Jr., the recruit in Ohio in the class of 2020, verbally committed to Ohio State University on June 28, 2018. (Photo: The Enquirer/Adam Baum)Buy Photo

Covington Catholic junior tight end Michael Mayer announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Mayer is the top-ranked player in Kentucky and the No. 2 tight end in the country in the '20 cycle per 247sports.com. He was a member of the Colonels' state championship football run last fall and the school's state championship basketball team this winter.

The younger brother of now-former CovCath quarterback AJ Mayer, Michael was a star on both sides of the ball during his sophomore campaign. He caught 13 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball seven times for 172 yards and three scores. On defense he played on the line finishing with 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He is the second top-tier local recruit to give his verbal commitment to the Irish this summer. Anderson '19 offensive lineman Zeke Correll committed to Notre Dame on June 18.

In additional football news out of Kentucky, '19 Beechwood offensive/defensive lineman Dayton Baugh received an offer from Austin Peay June 28. The offer is Baugh's second DI invite following an invitation from Army June 20. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder has helped the Tigers win back-to-back 1A state championships. This coming fall will be his third-straight starting for Beechwood.

Ohio

Like in Kentucky, Ohio saw it's biggest football recruit in the '20 class announce a commitment this week.

The 6-foot-7, 285-pound Johnson is ranked as the top recruit in Ohio's '20 class as well as the top offensive tackle prospect in the country by 247sports.com. That same recruiting site also ranks him as a top-10 prospect nationally, regardless of position. Johnson chose the Buckeyes from a list of nearly 50 DI schools including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas and USC. A five-star prospect, Johnson recently finished a West Coast recruiting trip. He announced his commitment to Ohio State shortly afterward.

Staying on the gridiron, one of the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference's premier athletes is headed north.

Taft '19 wide receiver Chris'Seon Stringer announced his commitment to Toledo June 29. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Stringer missed his entire junior season because of injury last fall but should be a force to deal with in the CMAC this coming season. Stringer was able to play basketball for the Senators this winter.

Stringer was named first-team all-conference as both a freshman and a sophomore. In 2016 he caught 35 passes for 539 yards and 12 touchdowns, he also returned a punt for a score. On defense he had 63 tackles (26 solo), a force fumble, a fumble recovery and a pick-six from his cornerback spot. As a freshman he caught 18 balls for 561 yards and five touchdowns. He also added a rushing score and 15 tackles (10 solo) on defense.

On the track, recent Sycamore graduate Asa Hodrick announced his commitment to Kent State June 28. Hodrick was a member of the Aviators' 2017 4x200 state championship team.

This past spring Hodrick was named second-team all-Greater Miami Conference in the 400 and honorable mention all-GMC in the 100. He placed seventh in the state in the 400 this year with a time of 49.172. He also helped the Aviators' 4x200 team reach the state meet.

The weekend's first commitment came June 28 when '21 McNicholas middle infielder Lauden Brooks committed to play baseball at Kentucky. Brooks, who plays his club baseball for Midland, had a small but impressive freshman season for the Rockets. In five varsity at-bats he collected three hits. He scored twice, drove in two runs and stole a base. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds he should continue to improve over his final three high school seasons.

Another Class of '21 Midland standout who received attention this weekend was West Clermont catcher/infielder Trevor Conley. Conley received an offer from Xavier June 29. The 5-foot-11, 160-pounder hit .269 for the Wolves during his first season of high school ball. He finished with two doubles, two triples, five stolen bases, eight RBI and 14 runs scored. On defense he led the Wolves with 130 putouts and had 24 assists. His fielding percentage was .987.